Heading into the most wide open New Hampshire governor's race in 16 years, Republican nominee Ovide Lamontagne, of Manchester, began the general election with a sizable campaign cash advantage over Democratic nominee Maggie Hassan, of Exeter, newly released campaign finance reports show.

Through last week's state primary, Lamontagne had raised nearly $1.3 million to date and had $258,000 left in his campaign account. Hassan has raised nearly $1.1 million, but had to spend almost all of it to get through a very competitive primary. She began the general election with a little over $13,000 of cash in her account.

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Hassan's campaign points out that Hassan has out-raised Lamontange in the last two fundraising periods.

Lamontagne's cash advantage is really a short term advantage. It has allowed him to continue television advertising and not having to wait to replenish funds. Very quickly, however, both candidates are expected to raise a lot of money. The state's race for governor is one of the most competitive in the country.

At this point money is not expected to be a factor in determining the winner.